Pollution's Impact On Indonesia: A Troubling Reality

Indonesia is the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, largely due to deforestation and the destruction of peatlands. The country's high population density and rapid industrialisation have resulted in a range of environmental issues, including large-scale deforestation, over-exploitation of marine resources, and problems associated with urbanisation and economic development, such as air pollution, traffic congestion, inadequate waste management, and poor water and wastewater services.

Indonesia's air pollution is mainly caused by forest fires, with the transportation and energy sectors also contributing significantly. The country's capital, Jakarta, is notorious for its poor air quality, currently ranking as the second most polluted city in the world. The severe air pollution in Jakarta is attributed to coal-fired power plants, transport emissions, household emissions, construction, road dust, and the unchecked burning of forests and agricultural land.

The consequences of Indonesia's air pollution are dire, with respiratory problems becoming the country's sixth most common cause of death. It is estimated that air pollution reduces the average life expectancy of Indonesians by 1.4 to 2.4 years, with certain areas faring much worse.

Forest fires and haze

Forest fires and the haze they produce are a significant contributor to Indonesia's air pollution crisis. The fires are often started to clear land for agriculture, especially palm oil plantations, using the slash-and-burn method. This practice is particularly prevalent in the provinces of Sumatra and Kalimantan.

The annual haze crisis usually peaks during the dry season, from June to October, when the lack of rainfall exacerbates the spread of fires. The resulting haze can blanket large parts of Indonesia and neighbouring countries for weeks or months, causing hazardous air quality levels. In 2019, over 1.6 million hectares of land were burned in Indonesia, releasing massive amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants into the atmosphere. The smoke from these fires contains a toxic mix of gases and fine particles that pose severe health risks, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and increasing the risk of premature death.

The haze from forest fires can spread across hundreds of kilometres, affecting not only rural areas but also major cities like Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia, and neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and even Thailand. The severity of the haze season varies from year to year, with El Niño years tending to have a more prolonged and intense dry season, exacerbating the frequency and scale of the fires.

The health impacts of the haze are significant. During periods of severe haze, hospitals and clinics report a sharp increase in cases of asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments. The vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are the most affected. The World Bank estimated that the 2019 haze crisis led to over 900,000 cases of acute respiratory infections in Indonesia alone. Additionally, a study by Harvard and Columbia Universities found that long-term exposure to the particulate matter from these fires could result in 36,000 premature deaths annually across Southeast Asia.

The Indonesian government has implemented measures to combat the haze crisis, including restoring degraded peatlands and promoting sustainable land management practices. However, the economic incentives driving illegal land clearing continue to pose significant challenges. Regional and international cooperation, as well as efforts by non-governmental organisations and community groups, are also crucial in addressing this issue.

Transportation emissions

Indonesia's economic growth has been accompanied by a surge in transport demand, with most vehicles running on fossil fuels. The transport sector is a significant contributor to the country's energy sector emissions, with road transport being the biggest emitter.

The Impact of Transportation Emissions

The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) reports that the transportation sector is the most significant contributor to urban air pollution, with vehicle emissions causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. In Jakarta, vehicle emissions account for nearly 80% of the city's air pollution. Across the country, other cities like Surabaya and Medan also report hazardous air quality levels, especially during the dry season when forest fires are more prevalent.

Policy Mitigation and Opportunities

Indonesia's government has recognised the issue and is prioritising the enhancement of mobility. The country has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by 2020 and by 29% by 2030. To achieve these goals, the government has proposed several strategies, including:

• Reformation of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system
• Renewal of public transportation vehicles
• Socialization and training of smart driving
• Non-motorized transport development
• Intelligent transport system development
• Implementation of Traffic Impact Control (TIC)
• Parking Management Application

Additionally, the government encourages the concept of a low-carbon society, with three main strategies:

• Integration of public transport, such as train and bus modes
• Integration of a light-rail transit system, Bus Rapid Transit, and non-motorized transport with land-use and urban planning
• Adoption of a low-carbon society through the integration of transportation systems

The Way Forward

To achieve net-zero emissions, Indonesia should focus on:

• Efficient land-use policies
• Minimising trips
• Providing options for low-carbon mobility, such as walking, cycling, and public transit
• Reducing private vehicle usage and encouraging the use of public transportation
• Implementing policies to improve emission standards for new vehicle technology

Industrial activities

Indonesia's industrial sector is a significant contributor to the country's air pollution, especially in regions with a high concentration of factories and manufacturing plants. The rapid expansion of industrial activities, particularly in West Java and East Kalimantan, has led to localized pollution hotspots, where the air quality is often hazardous.

Various industries, including cement production, petrochemicals, mining, and pulp and paper manufacturing, release large amounts of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. These emissions contain sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter, which degrade air quality and contribute to acid rain. Acid rain can have detrimental effects on ecosystems, buildings, and agricultural productivity.

The Indonesian government has recognized the severity of air pollution and has implemented initiatives to reduce emissions from industrial facilities. However, enforcement remains challenging due to issues such as non-compliance and corruption.

Agricultural practices

Indonesia's agricultural practices have contributed significantly to the country's air pollution crisis. Beyond the widely recognised issue of slash-and-burn methods used for forest clearance, other farming practices have also played a role in degrading air quality.

The use of traditional biomass for cooking and heating in rural areas is a major source of pollution. This is particularly evident in less developed regions, where access to cleaner energy sources is limited. The burning of crop residues after harvest is another common practice in some parts of Indonesia. While this method is effective for clearing fields, it releases large amounts of smoke and particulate matter into the air, exacerbating air pollution, especially in rural areas.

Seasonal agricultural practices, such as crop residue burning after harvest, also contribute to fluctuations in air pollution levels. These agricultural burns typically occur at the end of the dry season, leading to localized spikes in pollution. While smaller in scale than forest fires, these burns still release significant amounts of pollutants, affecting both rural communities and nearby urban areas.

Indonesia's agricultural sector is also transitioning towards more sustainable farming practices that reduce the need for burning. These practices are crucial for lowering pollution levels and promoting better land management.

Waste management issues

Indonesia's waste management issues are a critical concern, threatening the environment, public health, and the economy. The country's rapid population and economic growth have resulted in a significant increase in waste production, with annual waste reaching 67.8 million tonnes. The main types of waste include organic waste, which accounts for 60%, and plastic waste, which makes up 14%.

The country's waste management system is inadequate to handle this volume, resulting in overloaded processing centres and landfills. For example, Bantar Gebang, Indonesia's largest landfill, is projected to run out of space by 2021. The lack of funding, weak law enforcement, and poor management have led to uncontrolled waste disposal, groundwater pollution, and the release of methane gas.

The mismanagement of medical waste during the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation, with medical waste often mixing with other types of waste and ending up in landfills. This posed a severe health risk to scavengers and the general public, with the potential to create new infection clusters.

The Indonesian government has implemented regulations and guidelines for waste management. However, compliance remains an issue, with some third-party waste management companies violating the rules. Additionally, the lack of treatment facilities, such as incinerators, further hinders effective waste disposal.

The waste management issues in Indonesia have severe environmental and health consequences. Organic waste, including food waste, contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, and water contamination. Plastic waste, which is often burned, releases toxic gases, causing air pollution and damaging the river and marine ecosystems.

To address these issues, Indonesia needs to improve its waste management infrastructure, enforce existing regulations, and promote recycling and waste reduction initiatives. Community efforts and international cooperation are also crucial in tackling this complex problem.

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